Film Analysis and Comparison of Documentaries

Comparison of Bowling for Columbine and Let’s Talk About Sex We all know the infamous author Michael Moore for his dark sense of humor that has shed its light on America in different ways. He is great at the craft of documentaries, and in my opinion it is one of the best that I have ever seen. â€Å"Bowling for Columbine,† won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. In many ways this film had me uneasy, yet I feel it is one of the most compelling documentaries that I have seen. Throughout this documentary Moore enlightens us on the subject of guns in America, but in my opinion I really feel that he is depicting our countries culture of violence.He goes on the give a detailed flashbacks of his beliefs for the reasons why so many Americans in todays society are often killed with guns. Moore has a very distinct style of filming, through his compelling sense of humor and strong personality. In specific when Moore walked into the Michigan bank. They were also a licensed fire arm dealer, where he got a free gun for putting money into a Certificate of Deposit. The local ad in the newspaper for the deal read: â€Å"More Bang, for Your Buck. † As alarming as this was, he later went to buy a bullet after getting a haircut.This style was very appealing to me in the way that he showcased his main points. The style was straightforward and compelling that I believe people from many different backgrounds can all be able to understand and relate to. The next paper I will be comparing is the very controversial film â€Å"Let’s Talk About Sex. † This film was packed with clips from TV shows, thrilling facts, and interviews with American and Dutch teens. This film emphasizes on how sex is portrayed and displayed in America in comparison to other countries.This film serves as a great wake up call for people who believe that telling teens to â€Å"abstain† from sex is an effective way of keeping them safe and healthy. This film was accurate and timely, the film exposes the reasons behind our high teen pregnancy and STD rates. In Let’s Talk About Sex the attitudes of Americans is compared to Europeans on the subject of sex. The most controversial point in this film was probably the segment that involved gay teens. I personally feel that if members of the gay community were to watch this they would be disappointed they were represented in this aspect.In comparison, both of these films traveled the country and presented many facts towards their topics of Guns and Sex. I feel that both of these films address two very important subject areas that need to be addressed in today’s society. Throughout the Let’s Talk about Sex film we met pregnant teens, young HIV positive people and kids who lied to parents about being sexually active. Through Moore’s film like many of his others appealed more to emotion than, to reason. His stylistic ways of the film were more provocative than informative.Even thoug h Moore’s views may not be very appealing to many, I feel that this film is one worth watching. The pinnacle point in the Bowling for Columbine that I found extremely moving was when Moore takes two of the survivors of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre to K-Mart headquarters in Troy, Michigan. The survivors requested they stop selling handgun bullets. After delay, K-Mart eventually came out and announced that they were phasing out of gun ammunition. This was actually a bright side of the film, yet it was still terrible to see the victims of the 1999 Columbine.From the movie Let’s Talk About Sex, the pinnacle was probably through the comparison of the cultures of American Teens versus the Dutch Teens. The Dutch teens see carrying condoms as a sign of responsibility and proudly showed them off the to the camera while, American teens freaked out over the idea, using words like â€Å"pervert† or â€Å"douchebag†. All I believe both films were very compe lling and their different styles fit each perfectly. Our society needed a persuasive film like Bowling for Columbine and we also needed the alarming facts of Let’s talk about Sex, to get their points across.

Eng225 Final Paper Film Critique

Running Head:   Film Critique Critique of The Blind Side Tabitha Teasley Eng. 225 Introduction to Film Deborah Cunningham July 13, 2012 Critique of The Blind Side The way a person start in life, will not determine who or what they will become. The Blind Side is based on Micheal Lewis book called, The Blind Side:   Evolution of a game. In this film this young man had a bad life at first. His talents and give him opportunity to had a good ending in life. It do not matter what a person had to go through in life, because it only that one opportunity to make a life time change.This movie involved a boy who was poor and uneducated. He had a bad beginning, but a recruited seen his talents and gave him the chance. Sometime it take someone else to see the talent another person is working with in life. In this film it takes the film director the props, and the lighting to tell this story. As this paper take the story one scene at a time, it will show who it take all element together and it will show that it do not matter how a person start in life. Storytelling is very important in the film world today. Each movie has to start with a story.A story is â€Å"a   narrative; all the elements and events that characters experience, whether before, during, or after the plot that is depicted in a book or a movie† (Film: From Watching to Seeing, 2011) Sometimes the person who wrote the script, will be the director also. If this do not happen, â€Å"it take the writers, producers, the director, and the actors, to put the story into action† (Film: From Watching to Seeing). The storytelling has to have a good story for it to make it to the film world. The director for   this movie is John Lee Hancock. The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who become an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family† (The Internet Movie Database). The storyteller for the   book â€Å"The Bli nd Side† is Michael Lewis. Critique of The Blind Side â€Å"Lewis today might be the most insider-ish outsider writer alive†(Maine Living, 2011 ). He was raised in New Orleans. He learn is life the â€Å"success and happiness are very different things, never become a lawyer, and you do not need a come from a bookish environment to know how to spin a helluva story† (Maine Living, 2011). The Blind Side expresses a similar theme of how value often is misjudged and overlooked. The improbable true story of how a young, African-American athlete born to a crack-addicted mother was adopted by a rich, evangelical Christian family, it was turned into a popular film featuring an Oscar-winning performance by Sandra Bullock†( Maine Living, 2011). This is a true story about Michael Oher. â€Å"He play for the Baltimore Ravens now† (NPR). He had a very hard childhood. He was a black male who had to start from scratch after being adopt by a family, who had a daughte r† (NPR).He had no identifying documents, school records, or anything that would demonstrate on paper that he existed. â€Å"His whole life changed when his adoptive mom gave him responsibility†(NPR). When a person is bought into a environment that they are not accompany with, it is hard to adopt to the change. For example when the family took him shopping for some clothes, he did not know how to receive them, because he was not used to someone going shopping just for him. Acting is what make the movie come to life. In the textbook, Film: From Watching to Seeing, it states, â€Å"Acting is all about honesty.If you can fake that, you've got it made†. The actor job is to act. They pretends to be the character in the movie. They have to learn their lines and they have to connect with the character they are pretending to be in the film. The starting actor in the movie â€Å"Blind Side† is Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, and Tim McGraw. Critique of The Blind Sid e Aaron was born on August 15, 1984 in Bronx, New York (IMDB). â€Å"His acting began with a Christmas play†(IMDB). He played the character of Michael Oher. He stated that to get ready for this character he had to â€Å"work out twice a day, seven days a week, and he had to loss weight† (IMDB).Sometime actors had to change their appearance to fit the character they got to play. The actors are very important to the movie world. When the movie first came on   it told the story about   Micheal Oher. This allowed the audience to know about the role the character (Quinton Aaron) played. It was on a football field and the point the director wanted the audience focus on was light and the background was dark. When the narrator wanted the audience to focus on a scene the scene stopped while the narrator talked about the scene.The way a person start in life, will not determine who or what they will become. â€Å"Cinematography is the process of photographing motion†( Film: From Watching To Seeing). â€Å"The cinematographer's job is to translate the director's vision for the film, to capture what the director wants to see and to say, and to physically make that happen† (Film: From Watching To Seeing). This is what determines how the audience sees the movie. In the movie â€Å"The Blind Side† the cinematographer used medium long shots and medium close ups. In the scene called â€Å"sleep tight† this   is the shots they used.In this scene the lady was making him a place to sleep at for over night. Medium Long Shot is â€Å"human figures are visible between head-to-toe and head-to-knee in the frame†. Medium close- up is â€Å"human figures are visible head to neck†(Film: From Watching To Seeing). The lighting had a dark background. The lighting was lighter on the area that audiences needed the focus to be on. Critique of The Blind Side Editing is what â€Å"controls what views will see and when the will see it and can profoundly affect how they will interpret a film. It establishes and can manipulate the pacing of s story on the screen.It can assemble a serious of partial details, creating by skillful arrangement the illusion of complete actions and spaces that exist only in the mind of the viewers† (Film: From Watching To Seeing). The movie â€Å"The Blind Side was done in Chronological order. Chronological order makes the movie easy to follow. â€Å" It make the scene unfold one after another, from beginning to end† (Film: Watching To Seeing). Editing is very important to the film world. This is what allow them to put the final touch on the film. They clean the film up so the story can be told.The way a person start in life, will not determine who or what they will become. The sound is also important to the film world. There are three basic categories of film sound. They are dialogue, sound effects, and music. They all have to have balance between the three. Dialogue is â €Å"when the characters talking to one another in the films†. (Film: From Watching To Seeing). Sound effects are used to get the audiences attention. It help draw them into the movie. In the scene â€Å"he's changing Mine†Ã‚   the sound was low and the music was very soft in the background.There were four ladies sitting down eating and they were discussing her adopting the boy. The way the music and the low tone voice kept the focus on the characters. In this movie the sound kept the movie on the serious side. This movie had sounds that would show the sadden and the happy point of it. This was very important in this movie. If the sound be off key, then the movie would not get it point across. They did a good job with the sound and music in this film. It help get the point across with the main point of the movie; The way a person start in life, will not determine who or what they will become.Critique of The Blind Side Directing and style is very important in the movie w orld also. Each director has their own styles. Sometimes the styles maybe black and white, back in the days, and modern days films. In â€Å"The Blind Side† the style were modern days. The choice of which film making techniques to use, and how and when to use them, can define a director's personal style† (Film† Watching To Seeing). The genre for the movie â€Å"The Bind Side† is drama, comedy, sports. I think this fits the movie well. The genre is important because it lets the audience know what to expect in the movie.It described the movies and it allowed the main point of the movie, the way a person start in life, will not determine who or what they will become, to be told on time. Movies can have a positive effect on society or a negative effect. This movie had a positive effect. In the movie The Blind Side the rating from society was good. The movie encourage people. It let society know your dream can come true. It do not matter what you didn't have in your childhood. Life is what a person make it out to be. Look for opportunity, and expect changes to happen at any giving moment. In the movie the boy was seen as this quiet, fat person.Each person has gifts in life. Sometime a person need someone to help pull their gift to it full potential. This lady could have turned her nose up at the young boy, like society did. She had a gift for helping other and she seen the opportunity to use her gift. The movie also taught society to look at a person heart and not the outside appearance of a person. He had a big heart and the lady seen that society was robbing the young boy of his dream. It also taught society that dreams are made to come true. Stop focusing on what a person do not have and give opportunity when they are suppose to be giving.Critique of The Blind Side When her and her friends was having dinner they were making fun of her adopting the young boy. The way a person start in life, will not determine who or what they will become . A formalist approach is â€Å"to analysis is concerned with film form, or how the basic elements are organized to convey certain meaning†. This deals with the narrative elements. (Film: Watching To Seeing). In the text book, Film: From Watching To Seeing, it states â€Å"the most important thing to remember about film criticism is that any film can be viewed from a variety of perspectives.It may succeed at some and fail at others, but cannot be simply dismissed because the viewer does not like one aspect of it†. Each person will have their own personal conclusion on how they rate a movie. What one may like the next person will dislike. Two people can watch a movie together and each person will have their own points about the movie. It will mean this to one and some completely different to the next person. The point did come across in â€Å"the Blind Side;   the way a person start in life, will not determine who or what they will become.In the movie â€Å"The Blin d Side† everything the director did to make the movie went in together. It took all part to make the movie a success. This movie set out to encourage people about their dreams. From the director to the shoes the character had on, it took it all. There was a balance in the lighting with the sound to the music. It do not matter how a person started in life or what a person been through, they have gifts and if the right opportunity come, their life can change forever. Look for opportunity and take each one like it is you last.The way a person start in life, will not determine who or what they will become. REFERENCES Goodykoontz, B. , & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Education, Inc. https://content. ashford. edu The Internet Movie Database, Retrieved on November 20, 2011, from http://www. imdb. com/name/nm2466842/bio Maine Living Bangor Daily News, retrieved on November 19, 2011, from htt p://bangordailynews. com/2011/11/20/living/book-reviews/michael-lewis%E2%80%99-   storytelling-skills-put-more-economic-tales-on-the-bestseller-list/

Article newspaper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Newspaper - Article Example On the other hand others, normally the martial arts students who are taking part in this award ceremony are also sitting on their knees while presenting this award. Ian Barrie is currently working as an instructor at Gorioch Sports centre which is one of the topmost sports training centres in Britain. For the last 30 years, he has worked in this Sports centre, training hundreds of people in martial arts especially in Nanbudo. He is giving trainings to the students Gorioch Sports centre only two days in a week; Monday and Thursday evening, whereas on Saturday evening he gives training at the Kinellar Community Hall. Nanbudo is practicing only in fifteen countries worldwide at present. Like most of the other martial arts, Nanbudo has also its origin or roots in traditional Japanese style of Karate. It should be remembered that there are many styles of karate practicing globally at present. Chinese styles and Japanese styles of karate are the most prominent ones at present and Nanbudoâ €™s resemblance is more towards the Japanese style of Karate. In Nanbudo, even though most of the actions and steps are similar to that of Karate, the defence and offence techniques are more polished or restructured to make them more effective.

Learning Journal on Motivating Others Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Learning Journal on Motivating Others - Essay Example This might be done through proper training to ensure that the individual has the required skills. The concept of motivation simply entails enhancing the desire and commitment to responsibilities as far as work is concerned in order to boost performance. In order to increase an individual’s performance through motivation, there is need to ensure that the individual gains proper understanding of performance expectations for the specific work. After making the person understand the performance expectations of the work, it is also important to ensure that the person feels that the expectations can be achieved. This can be done by first eliminating the existing personal and organizational obstacles to performance and making the person feel like he or she has the capability to achieve the expectations. There is also need to use appropriate rewards and discipline in order to encourage exceptional performance and extinguish unacceptable behavior. On identifying the specific inappropriate behavior, it is important to explain the reason why the behavior is considered as inappropriate and clearly indicate that the behavior should be stopped. Elaborate the impact of this kind of behavior on the performance of the individual and others i n terms of how it may hinder the achievement of the set performance expectations. By doing all the above, it will be a sure way of making the individual understand that high performance is more rewarding than average or low performance. In order to gain much from effective administration of the reward and discipline aspect, it is necessary to make the subordinate feel that the rewards gained from being a high performer are worth the effort. This means that the rewards are supposed to be substantial enough to increase the person’s urge to meet expectations so as to gain the rewards. This is also supposed to be done equitably so that the subordinates will not feel that there is any form of favoritism in one’s administration of

Talk about four ways in which sound is connected or disconnected from Essay

Talk about four ways in which sound is connected or disconnected from image in The Conversation. For example, do they jar, comp - Essay Example The article will discuss several ways in which sound disconnects or connected from the image in â€Å"The Conversation† by Francis Ford Coppola. Introduction According to Cowie in his text â€Å"Picking up The Conversation,† Francis’ career in film making involves more than twenty-five films all through a forty-year career his acclaims as a film director attribute to his participation with â€Å"The Godfather† movies. Such a positive affiliation, indeed, has served Francis well all through the challenges in his career and diminished the effects of his essential work. In 1974, Coppola wrote and was a director of â€Å"The Conversation,† which is a scene that went immensely unnoticed because of the immediate release of The Godfather Part 2. Even though, both of the scenes contributed to the nomination of Oscar for Coppola, the triumph of The Godfather contributed to the fading of The Conversation into a level of under appreciation (Cowie, Picking up T he Conversation). Nevertheless, in Dec. 2000 Paramount Home Video produced a new DVD of The Conversation. This digital video will enhance the film lovers to praise and see it as it provides the right format for a scene. This is because the film producer invested in attracting not only the visual sense of the viewers, but also their attention. Francis Coppola hardly limited channeling his creative traits towards the scene because he reinvented the utilization of sound. Just the same as Robert Altman did four years ago with MASH, Coppola accomplished his story because of sound application. The utilization of sound by Coppola in the film The Conversation is an aspect that makes the scene a unique and provides the audience with a cinematic experience. The Conversation, although released initially in 1974, it was perfect timing because it was when people had little faith towards the political institutions. The scene addresses, in broad, the increasing sense of people’s mistrust to wards the political institutions. Through a creative and masterful sound use, Francis takes a significant advantage of suspicion and apprehension of the audience. Even though, the occupation of Coppola puts him in a high position, his technology use is a cause of skewed perception in relation to reality. While looking for truth in the midst of the conversation in the film, Coppola utilizes self-engineering modern technologies. The technologies aim at eradicating every intrusive noise that might affect the quality of the recording. However, the use of self-engineering technology did harm to the film because it eliminated the realness aspect of the film’s conversation. Harry directs his assistant to pay extra attention towards the recording and little attention to what the characters are talking about. This is similar to the distinction that people draw between listening and hearing. As Harry hears the words from the conversation, he hardly listens to what the words mean. It is not because of Harry’s personality or his achievements that made him a mark; rather it is the sophistication of sound that made his opponents. More so, through the audio maneuvering, â€Å"The Conversation† does not only narrate Harry Cauls’ story, but also the American story. â€Å"The Conversation† by Francis Ford Coppola The producer of â€Å"The Conversation† created sound track separately from images and was inclusive of three elements:

Strategy Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Strategy Paper - Essay Example As mentioned, a bachelor’s degree is not directly proportional to outstanding performance. It is on this premise that our front liners – the people who will deal and interact directly with customers and suppliers – do not essentially need to be degree holders, but should have sufficient expertise in this field, and should have delivered excellent performance in their respective fields during previous work experiences. Customer Service is one of the company’s first priority as it reflects the values and objectives of the company, and this is something not really learned within the confines of a classroom, but in an actual interactive environment where one begins to learn and understand the needs of a customer. To further enhance the company front liners, they will also be subject to trainings and workshops that would contribute to the betterment of their performances. Same amount of regard would be given to the company’s sales and marketing teams, as they will be the backbone of the company. They will be given specific goals to achieve as far as sales are concerned. The Marketing team will likewise be given quantifiable objectives that could be equated to the success of the sales team. Each employee’s contribution definitely makes up for the company’s success, therefore making it crucial to find the right people who would deliver results for the company. 10-8 ensures that its workforce is maximized by giving high regards to the collective achievement of the team members, not only to individual performances. This way, each team member’s potential will be utilized in a manner whereby the results would always reflect to the team as a whole. 10-8’s core value is to give back to the community, and this is reflected in the company’s marketing and business strategy. The management would like to position the company as a

Discuss the conflicts and tensions between the expectations of Essay

Discuss the conflicts and tensions between the expectations of society, the aims of business and the roles of government as exemplified by the pharmaceutical in - Essay Example There are several areas upon which impact of these conflicting interest are greatly observable. In our case scenario, we take the pharmaceutical industry as our case model. However, our discussions will only be limited on the interrelations between outside factors namely government regulations and the expectations of society vis-Ã  -vis the internal management systems and responses of the company, especially in terms of labour and production. We will deal mostly on the aspects of labour and how it is affected by the business cycles and trends. Hence, we will focus more on the management aspects and less on the activities and developments of the pharmaceutical industries. Economic cycles can be viewed in terms of predictable long-term1 pattern of changes in the national income of a given country. Based on established patterns, we have a traditional business cycles which involves four stages namely expansion2, prosperity3, contraction4 and recession5. This is a cycle whereby at the end of the recession period, the expansion stage kicks-up again. During these economic stages, we can observe chain reactions in the different aspects of the business sector. Common characteristics in these cycle of events in the impact it has on the labour in terms of changing employments, the productivity where there may be more of less production depending on the cycle and the rise and fall of interest rates depending on the cycle involved.6 To illustrate this scenario, let us look back into our economic history. In the 1970s up to the 1980s, a steady rise of unemployment rates in Europe can be observed. This steady rise was then attributed to mostly to the demand and supply of labour force where it was perceived that supplied skills and expertise of labour did not match with the demand. Not only was there a mismatch in the supply and demand of labour, there was also a perceived discrepancy between wages

Analysis of Police Corruption Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analysis of Police Corruption - Research Paper Example The police department is constructed under the constitution and mandated to provide security and ensure all laws of the land have adhered. When the police are engaged in corrupt activities, they break their mandate. In responding to this, corrupt officers are arrested and charged in the court. This has been very effective in ensuring that the officers are responsible for all their actions. Through corruption, the police deny the citizens some rights like the right to protected by a law-enforcing agency. This is clearly stipulated in the constitution. In some corrupt police dealing, they collude with criminal for them to carry out their activities effectively. In covering up their activities, these officers may undertake the arrest of innocent people. This raises questions as to where the security of the citizen could be upheld. This leads to reduced trust in the operations of the police offices. Since the citizens may lack the sound background to bring forth their claims, various hum an rights groups have been on their rescue. They have made it possible for various reforms to be made which has gradually improved the interaction between the police and the citizens (Forst & Dempsey, 2011). Corruption is conducted in the police force in numerous ways. Bribery, which entails the exchange of a benefit between police officers, is the most common form of corruption. This is evident in traffic rules violation and illegal sale of drugs. Though this acts, the police officers propagate crimes rather than curbing it. In response to this, the root causes of the crime have been investigated and various strategies implemented. Since the public promotes the vice through producing bribes, they should be educated on the possible repercussions that may befall on them once they are identified. Therefore, in ensuring that the vice is completely gotten rid of, proper coordination between various stakeholders is necessary. Causes of police corruption Lack of professionalism by police officers in the conduction of their activities is one of the main causes of the increase in corrupt activities.

The Red Badge of Courage Analysis Essay Example for Free

The Red Badge of Courage Analysis Essay In the novel, The Red Badge of Courage, a theme shows itself during a battle, in the civil war. It is the battle towards maturity and adulthood. A soldier by the name of Henry Fleming, also known as the youth, shows this theme. However this can be argued, especially about the last scenes in the novel. Henry Fleming is an immature soldier who enlists in the army looking for the Spartan glory he found in stories. â€Å"They might not be distinctly Homeric, but there seemed to be much glory in them. He had read of marches, sieges, conflicts, and he had longed to see it all. † (Pg 6) Henry shows little maturity in his decision to enlist. He looks for a grace amongst death. â€Å"He had grown to regard himself merely as a part of a vast blue demonstration. †(Pg 11) During the beginning of battle he begins to see a broader spectrum in the world. He begins to see that he is not an individual, but a part of a group. Henry begins to find adult hood, he loses some selfishness and begins to look towards others with compassion. He felt the subtle battle brotherhood more potent even than the cause for which he was fighting. † (Pg 56) However, Henry’s immaturity is shown when he deserts a dying soldier and flees from a battle. â€Å"The youth looked at him, could see that he, too, like that other one, was beginning to act dumb and animal-like. † (Pg 44) As Henry leaves the dying tattered solider, he feels remorse, wondering why he was so stupid to abandon his friend. A childish action to say the least. Henry returns to his platoon feeling guilty for his abandonment of both the platoon and the solider. He goes onto be accepted back into the platoon, they are unaware that he abandoned them; he goes on to fight heroically in a battle. After a high-ranking officer makes a derogatory remark about Henry, Henry changes his attitude. He accepts the comment without rebellion and shows respect, which shows his growing maturity. Because of the success of fighting bravely, Henry has the self-esteem to deal with his mistakes as an adult. As a mature solider he can learn from his mistakes. By the end of the novel, Henry has changed and he knows it. He has become a soldier that gained courage, responsibility, and can admit his wrongdoing. He can never make up for deserting the dying soldier, but now entering adulthood he can â€Å"put his sin at a distance. † By gaining new qualities and confronting his cowardice, he is truly mature: â€Å"He felt a quiet manhood, nonassertive but of sturdy and strong blood. He was a man. †

Evolution of Whales Essay Example for Free

Evolution of Whales Essay Since historical time’s organisms gradually undergo change in all body aspects for example body size, shape, complexity of organs and slight changes in genetic material. The changes are minor in a generation; accumulate with the continuity of generations with the overall differences producing major changes. In most cases a group of organisms arise from a common ancestor for example whales, dolphins and porpoises evolved from mammals that lived on land for instance pakicetids and mesonychids. Whales are also thought to have a common ancestor with hippopotamus, deer and camels. Whale ancestors were terrestrial which as a result of modification in the body parts and organs gave rise to the present day whales. There are many theories that explain the evolution of whales and the most embraced is that of whales evolving from small aquatic animals. The rule of natural selection by Charles Darwin dictates that only the fit organisms survive. This rule has applied to the evolution of whales since those that were unable to cope with competition became extinct. Most of the ancestors of whales were obtained through fossil study (paleontological evidence) of both terrestrial and aquatic organisms’ remnants excavated from Australia and Pakistan. Some of the examples of whale ancestors are sinonyx, pakicetids, ambulocetids, rhodocetids, basilosaurus, dorudon, squalodon, mammalodon colliveri, janjucetus hunderi and Harrison’s whale. Statement on whales Whales are the largest living mammals that inhabit aquatic environment. Whales can dive to depths of about 3000 meters and have to go back to the surface to breath. Like most terrestrial mammals whales give birth, suckle and nurse their young ones for around six months. They do not have skin glands, tear glands and olfactory senses. They receive signals through vibrations to the periodic and auditory bullae formed by fusion of skull bones. The blue whale; one of the whale species is the largest creatures that has ever lived on earth. The whale is subdivided into several species namely; sperm whale, blue whale (mentioned above), orcas (killer whales), and pilot whales. Some of these whale species have become extinct through natural selection as postulated by Charles Darwin in his theory â€Å"the origin of species by means of natural selection†. The blue whale is in the sub- order baleen whale and has long slender body shaded blue at some parts of the body. They feed on krill and only hunt in areas with concentration of krill. They mostly mate during autumn. Blue whales give birth to young whales in water weighing about two tones. The blue whales suckle their young ones till they are six months old. These whales are sexually mature at the age of around ten years. They are known to attain the age of about eighty years and their only predator is the orca or the killer whale. The population of whales has been decreasing in the recent years because of large scale whale hunting. Blue whales communicate to other whales especially during courtship, locating prey, maintenance of individual territory and maintenance of social organization by making some sounds about 165 decibels.

Supply Chain Management The Bullwhip Effect Commerce Essay

Supply Chain Management The Bullwhip Effect Commerce Essay In recent years in the supply chain management theory there has been done a lot of research over the phenomenon called the Bullwhip effect In brief, this negative effect occurs when the demand order variabilities in the supply chain are amplified as they moved up the supply chain (Lee et. al, 1997a) and can lead to such big inefficiencies as lost revenues and poor customer service. Many of the authors in their scientific papers contributed a lot to the development of the topic by describing the Bullwhip effect, explaining and evaluating its reasons, its implications and possible ways of its reduction, using higher mathematics (Chen et. al, 1999; Dejonckheere et. al, 2001; Warburton, 2004; Croson Donohue, 2003) and specialized software (like SISCO) (Chatfield et al., 2004) to create simulation models. In our brief overview, however, we will not consider all of these particularized mathematical studies in detail, we will just try to focus on the more theoretical explanation of the neg ative implications of the Bullwhip effect, the possible reasons of its existence, and on the ways of its reduction. In this respect, we think that among all of the respected scientists that devoted their efforts to the Bullwhip effect research, the authors Hau L. Lee, V. Padmanabhan, and Seungjin Whang in their articles The Bullwhip Effect in Supply Chains (1997) and Information Distortion in a Supply Chain: The Bullwhip effect (1997) have not only most profoundly described and explained the notion of the phenomenon of the Bullwhip effect and the reasons of its existence, but also introduced the most valuable and applicable ways of how to diminish its negative consequences. The essay consists of 3 main chapters: the first chapter describes the notion and the implications of the Bullwhip effect, in the second chapter the reasons for its existence are discussed, and the third chapter refers to the ways how to reduce the Bullwhip effect. 1. Implications of the Bullwhip effect There are some different definitions and ways of understanding of so called Bullwhip effect (it can also be referred to as Whiplash effect or Whipsaw effect in some sources). This phenomenon was first established by Forrester (1961). The Bullwhip effect can appear in every industry and in every supply chain. The Bullwhip effect is a consequence of one or a combination of the following four important aspects related to supply chain management, which are, according to Lee et al., demand forecast updating by supply chain partners; order batching; price fluctuation; rationing and shortage gaming. Small order variability on a customer level amplifies the orders for upstream players, such as wholesales and manufacturers, as the orders move up along a supply chain (Paik et al., 2007). As shown in the Figure 1, when consumer sales have really small fluctuations, the retailers demand fluctuates more, the wholesalers demand fluctuates more than the retailers demand and manufacturers demand fluctuates even more than wholesalers demand. (Lee et al., 1997a). According to Forrester, variability of customer orders is usually less than variability of manufacturing orders. To his opinion the main reason for this situation is the irrational behavior of participants involved in a supply chain (Paik et al., 2007). The Bullwhip effect can be observed on different levels: on macro level it shows up in inefficiency in production, scheduling, sourcing, distribution, revenue generalization and its realization (Ravichandran, 2008). on operation level, it reflects in generation of more inventory and keeping it in inappropriate place, to meet a specified service level (Ravichandran, 2008). on performance level, it can reduce the velocity of cash, destroy potential revenue and erode revenue realization (Ravichandran, 2008). These are just some negative consequences of the Bullwhip effect (Carlsson Fuller, 2001): excessive inventory investments poor customer service lost revenues the productivity capital in operations becomes substandard as revenues are lost increasing in transportation costs and sub-optimal transportation pattern demand variability may cause missed production schedule The Bullwhip Effect is a result of behavior of supply chain members and is created by themselves as a result of their rational decision making in situation of short or not full information about real end-customer demand. The Bullwhip Effect is an internal effect. Companies can ignore the Bullwhip effect and suffer from it extra losses or can try to reduce it. 2. The reasons for existence of the Bullwhip effect The good illustration of the Bullwhip effect is the beer game. In this experiment (it first took place in 1980s) participants play four different roles: customers, managers, wholesales and supplies of one of the popular beer brand. It is not allowed to communicate with each other, so participants make decisions about ordering only based on orders from the next downstream player. The results of this experiment are variability and volatility of upstream levels that always exceed variability and volatility of downstream levels. The interpretation of this result can be different. On one hand it can be effect of irrational decision making on each level (Lee et al., 1997a). But on the other hand, if the Bullwhip effect is a summary of rational decision making, we can indentify different main causes, and then the Bullwhip effect appears because of problems in the supply chain structure. These are the main causes of the Bullwhip Effect: 1. Demand forecasting updating (Lee et al., 1997a). Every company on each level of supply chain makes forecasting for production, capacity, inventory, material requirements and demand levels. Demand forecasting is usually based on the order history from the companys immediate customers, i.e. on what the company actually observes (Lee et al., 1997a). By using simply forecasting methods, for example exponential smoothing (forecasting of future demand based on new daily demand and it updating when new data is received) the order that is sent to the suppliers is a reflection of safety stock plus amount that is needed to satisfy future demand. The result is that the variability of amount of orders will increase during going on supply chain from the end-customer to the end supplier. 2. Order batching (in two forms periodic ordering and push ordering) (Lee et al., 1997a). There often appears a situation when companies order once a week, once in two weeks, once a month, instead of ordering every day or every few days. This situation appear because sometimes suppliers cannot satisfy frequent ordering or transportation costs are too high (there is a big difference between full load and less than truckload rate, suppliers may even provide customers with discounts for full-truck loads) or time for processing orders is too long. Companies want to make advantages on economies of scale but amount of ordering varies during the time (people order more on the end of the week, end of the months, holidays etc.) The Bullwhip effect decreases when order cycles decrease. 3. Price fluctuations (Lee et al., 1997a). The bullwhip effect also appears when quantity of goods that customers buy doesnt reflect their current needs. This is a result of customers buying in advance more than they need and stock some quantity because of attractive prices (it can be periodic discounts or promotions events when product prices are low). When level of prices becomes normal, customers stop buying products until they have it in stock. In this case buying structure doesnt reflect the consuming structure, as a result the fluctuation of buying amount is more tremendous than the variation of consuming amount (Lee et al., 1997a). Such discounts and promotions influence negatively the supply chain. It seems like manufactures and distributors create these price fluctuations themselves, and it means that they set up a bullwhip effect themselves. 4. Rationing and shortage gaming (Lee et al., 1997a). There are situations when demand is bigger than supply. In this case customer needs can be satisfied only partly. So customers order bigger amounts than they actually need, and when the situation becomes stable (demand is equal to supply) orders suddenly get cancelled. This means that customers give wrong information about their real demands to the suppliers, and this effect is referred to as gaming (Lee et al., 1997a). This is a common situation for a market. 5. Material and information delays (Paik et al., 2007). According to Towill and his co-authors, material and information delays might be a major contributing factor to the Bullwhip effect (Paik et al., 2007). 6. Supply variability (Paik et al., 2007). According to Taylor, supply variability (machine reliability problems and quality problems) is one of the possible causes of the Bullwhip effect. Output of the unreliable machines fluctuates and it pushes the variability of demands of the upstream members. Variability in production level is thus the initial trigger of demand variability, which in turn triggers the Bullwhip effect (Paik et al., 2007). 7. Number of echelons (Paik et al., 2007). According to Towill and his co-authors and to Ackere, reducing number of one or more intermediates lead to significant reducing of the Bullwhip effect (Paik et al., 2007). 3. The ways to reduce the Bullwhip effect In the previous chapter we described the reasons for existence of the Bullwhip effect. Understanding of these reasons gives a very good base to understanding of how to counteract the negative consequences of the Bullwhip effect. Many companies developed their own successful mechanisms of fighting the outcomes of this effect, and Hau L. Lee, V. Padmanabhan, and Seungjin Whang suggest to divide these various initiatives into three categories: Information sharing, Channel alignment, and Operational efficiency (see Table 1). Table 1 (Lee et al., 1997a) Causes of Bullwhip effect Information sharing Channel alignment Operational efficiency Demand forecast update understanding system dynamics use POS data electronic data interchange Internet computer-assisted ordering (CAO) vendor-managed inventory discount for information sharing consumer direct lead-time reduction echelon-based inventory control Order batching EDI Internet-ordering discount for truck-load assortment delivery appointments consolidation logistics outsourcing reduction in fixed cost of ordering by EDI or electronic commerce CAO Price fluctuations Continuous replenishment program (CRP) Everyday low cost (EDLC) Everyday low price (EDLP) Activity-based costing (ABC) The above mentioned categories imply the following: Information sharing: the information about actual customers demand is transmitted from the downstream site to the upstream; Channel alignment is about coordination of different business activities (as pricing, transportation, planning etc.) between the upstream and the downstream sites in the supply chain, and Operational efficiency implies the set of activities that help to improve performance, such as to reduce the lead-time. Lee et al. introduced a set of efficient countermeasures that were designed to minimize the negative effects of the Bullwhip effect (Lee et al., 1997a, b): Avoid multiple demand forecast updates Since the main reason of existence of the Bullwhip effect is the fact, that every member of the supply chain makes its own demand forecasting based on the data provided to it by its immediate downstream member, the one evident way to avoid this repetitive processing of demand data in a supply chain is to make the real consumption data (that is known at a downstream site) available at all of the upstream sites. This would allow all of the enterprises in a supply chain (from downstream to upstream) to make and update their forecasts based on the same raw data. Data sharing can be implemented, for instance, by the use of the electronic data interchange (EDI) systems. But the practice shows that in some cases even though all of the organizations in a supply chain use the same demand data to make their forecasts, the differences in forecasting methods and/or buying practices may still lead to fluctuations in the orders placed with the upstream sites. Break order batches The main idea here is to avoid another reason of appearance of the Bullwhip effect order batching by developing the strategies that lead to smaller batches and thus more frequent supply. One of the reasons of large order batches and low order frequencies is the high cost of processing the orders, which can be avoided, for example, by the use of electronic document circulation instead of paper-based. The other reason of large order batches is the transportation costs: the differences in the costs of full truckloads and less-than-truckloads are very high, and this makes companies to wait for the full truckloads and thus stretch the replenishment times, which also creates order batching. This problem can also be avoided by inducing by the manufacturers their distributors to order assortments of different products at a time (a truckload from the same producer may contain different products instead of full load of the same product) and thus significantly increase the order frequency. This can be stimulated by offering discounts by manufacturers to their distributors if they order mixed loads. The other effective way to solve the problem of order batching is the use of third-party logistics companies: these companies allow economies of scale by combining loads from different suppliers situated near each other and delivering these loads to different companies, what is especially very u seful for small companies, for which full truckload replenishment times are very long. Stabilize prices A very straightforward way of eliminating the Bullwhip effect caused by forward buying is for the manufacturers to reduce the levels and frequencies of wholesale discounts. One of the most effective ways of doing it is implementing the everyday low price (EDLP) pricing strategy. The practice shows that this strategy is effective both for the suppliers and for the customers since it helps to decrease costs of inventory, storage, transportation etc. for every participant. Though with use of the conventional accounting systems the benefits of the EDLP strategy compared to wholesale price discounting strategy are not evident for the buyer, ABC systems in most cases explicitly show the advantages of EDLP strategy. Eliminate gaming in shortage The aim of this measure is to deprive buyers of the incentives to exaggerate their orders in hope of the partial satisfaction of these orders by the suppliers. One of the simple ways to get rid of this reason of Bullwhip effect appearance is as following: in case of shortage the supplier can allocate products to the customers not based on their orders, but in proportion to past sales records. Also the buyers desire for gaming may be lessened if the supplier shares its capacity and inventory information with them. The other way of fighting with buyers gaming desire is to use strict supply contracts that restrict buyers flexibility in ordering unlimited quantities of goods and free cancelling of orders. However, we have to admit that the above mentioned measures of reduction of the Bullwhip effect are not exhaustive and cannot fully eliminate the existence of this effect. A number of scientific papers mathematically prove that the Bullwhip effect still exists even when demand information is shared by all stages of the supply chain and all stages use the same forecasting technique and inventory policy (Chen et al., 2000), and even if almost all of the above described causes (like batching, price fluctuations etc.) are removed (Croson Donohue, 2003). This gives us the understanding that the Bullwhip effect problem still needs to be closely scrutinized and other ways of reducing this effect are still need to be developed. Conclusion In our concise but, we hope, substantial overview we tried to reflect different approaches to the understanding of the phenomenon called The Bullwhip effect and the negative effects that it brings to the members of a supply chain, and to describe the most sound, to our opinion, ways of reducing this effect, that were introduced by the researchers during the past two decades. We also found that though during the last years to the investigation of this matter a lot of scientists devoted a lot of their efforts, the problem of getting rid of the Bullwhip effect in a supply chain has not yet been solved completely: a number of scientific papers mathematically prove that the Bullwhip effect still exists even when almost all of the discovered (so far) causes of its appearance (like batching, price fluctuations etc.) are removed. This means that the Bullwhip effect problem still needs to be closely scrutinized and other ways of reducing this effect are still need to be developed.

Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin In The Sun Essay -- Lorraine Hansberry

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun A Raisin in the Sun is one of the best works of Lorraine Vivian Hansberry, in which, through a black family, the Youngers, she talks about vital issues such as poverty, gender and racial discrimination. Hansberry's play focuses mainly on the dreams of the main characters, which motivates them. The title 'A Raisin in the Sun' has been taken from the poem "Montage of a Dream Deferred" written by Langston Hughes in which he talks about the consequences when dreams are put off for later. The title is appropriate for Hansberry?s play since it shows how ?deferred dreams? of the Younger family shrivel up like ?a raisin in the sun? leading to disillusionment and leaving very little hope for the future. The Younger family includes Lena Younger, who is the head of the family; Beneatha, Lena?s daughter; Walter, Lena?s son; Ruth, wife of Walter; Travis, Walter and Ruth?s son. Other than the Younger family, Joseph Asagai shown as Beneatha?s Nigerian friend also has an important role in the play. Each of the members in Younger family has their own individual dreams. Throughout the play, their happiness and sadness depends on how successful they are in attaining their respective dreams. Walter Lee is shown as a typical African-American man who struggles and works hard to support his family and often comes up with different ideas and schemes, which would make him rich in no time and will improve the life of his family. One such scheme was to invest money, from the deceased Mr. Younger's life insurance policy, in a liquor store with his friends. When he tells Ruth about his plans over breakfast, Ruth completely ignores and tells him ?eat your eggs? over and over again. This annoys Walter and he tells her how everytime a man dreams to achieve something in life & a woman shuns him by telling him to eat his eggs. Being quiet and eating one's eggs represents an acceptance of the adversity that Walter and the rest of the Youngers face in life. He believes that it is the black women who keep the black men from achieving their dreams and he argues that Ruth should be more supportive of him. Walter believes that ?money is life? and that it will bring an end to all the misery his family is suffering from. He measures the success of a man by the amount of money and possessions he has. Walter has worked as a chauffeur most o... ...-assimilationist beliefs as well as her desire to shape her identity by looking back to her roots in Africa. Asagai is proud to belong to the African heritage and wishes to bring about modern advancement in Nigeria to improve the life of his people. He influences Beneatha greatly in a positive way, teaching her about her heritage. He tells her that she is not as independent as she thinks she is since she has to rely on the insurance money for paying the fees of her medical school. He proposes Beneatha and asks her to get a medical degree and move to Africa with him. He will teach and lead the people, and she can practice medicine and help take care of people. Asagai and his dream enable Beneatha to discover a new energy and to reshape a new dream for herself. Throughout the play, each member of the Younger family concentrates only on their respective dreams. But by the end of the play they put the family dreams and wishes before their own. Now they have one common dream ? that of owning a house, which will be important for the family?s welfare and will keep them united. They eventually move out of their small over-crowded apartment, fulfilling the family's long-held dream.

The Relationship Between John Proctor and Elizabeth in Arthur Millers

The Relationship Between John Proctor and Elizabeth in Arthur Miller's The Crucible The Crucible was written by Arthur Miller in 1952. It gives an insight into the terror of the Salem witch trials of 1692. Many innocent people were accused of witchcraft; plotting against God, killing people by using magic, taking over a person's mind and binding with the Devil. These were very religious times and any little hiccup in one's behaviour can give reason that one has been taking part in witchcraft. For example, John Proctor occasionally ploughs his field on a Sunday which is not strictly correct Christian behaviour and leads the prosecutors to think that Proctor is linked with the Devil. The Crucible is also a metaphor for McCarthyism in America in the 1950s. Many American people were questioned because they were suspected of being an, 'Un-American', or threatening the safety of the state. This questioning soon turned into a modern day witch-hunt. If anyone even criticised the government they were worthy to be questioned. In both cases the policy, 'guilty until proven innocent' seemed to apply, completely opposite to the justice system of today. In the beginning of Act II there is definite tension between Proctor and Elizabeth. Elizabeth's first line when she sees Proctor is, 'What keeps you so late? It's almost dark.' She does not greet him with warmth and love but with a hint of suspicion aroused from Proctor's recent affair with Abigail Williams. As the conversation carries on Elizabeth is very controlled with what she says. For example, Proctor says to her, 'Are you well today?' and she replies, 'I am.' It seems quite unnatural an... ... can't bring himself to confess to lies and when he heads off to be executed he exchanges a passionate kiss with Elizabeth. It shows the build up of emotion and an audience can see the strong love between the two of them. If you were to only see an extract from Act II you would think that Elizabeth and Proctor were an unloving and broken couple. But now their interactions are completely different, they show love, need and compassion for each other. The final line, said by Elizabeth, is, 'He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.' She knows he is a good man and that he is doing the right thing for himself. Although they have to part, at least their relationship has been healed and Proctor can die knowing that Elizabeth loves him and has forgiven him; and Elizabeth knows that Proctor still loves her.

Crime and Gangster Films

The gangster genre rose in popularity during the 1930s and most historians locate the beginning of its classical phase at this time. The gangster films became an excellent system to exhibit cinema's sound capacities: ballistic machine gun fire, screeching tires and sharp streets electrified the screen. The rise also coincided with historical conditions of Prohibition, such as notorious real gangsters, like Al Capone, and violent outbreak, such as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929. They are developed around the malignant actions of Gangsters such as bank robbers, underworld bosses, or ruthless criminals who disobey the law, violently murdering and stealing their way through life. Gangster stories often highlight the life of a gangster figure or victims of the gangster. They sometimes also portray the rise and fall of gangsters through their personal power struggle and conflict with the law, or competing gangsters. Headline-grabbing situations, real-life gangsters, or crime news have often been used in crime films. Gangster/crime films are usually set in large, jam-packed cities, to provide a view of the covert world of the gangster: contraband, dark nightclubs or streets with flashy neon signs, super cars, tons of cash, bars, run down homes or boarding houses. Unusual locations for crimes often add an element of adventure and wealth. Writers conjured up appropriate gangland lingo for the tales, such as â€Å"tommy guns† or â€Å"molls. † Film gangsters are usually selfish, street-smart, corrupt, and self-destructive. Rivalry with other criminals in gangster warfare is often a significant plot characteristic. Crime plots also include questions such as how the criminal will be seized by police, detectives, special agents or legal authorities, or mysteries such as who stole the valued object. They rise to power with a tough cruel facade while showing an ambitious desire for success and recognition, but underneath they can express sensitivity and gentleness. Howard Hawk's Scarface: The Shame of A Nation was a brutal film in the crime genre. The star was Paul Muni as a hoodlum in the Prohibition-Era Chicago. The film depicted twenty eight deaths and was the first movie to use a machine gun. This violent production caught the attention of the Hays Code. Ultimately, the debate lead to the new Hays Production Code which censored such violent acts in films. After this censoring, the focus went more on the good side of the law. They glorified the cops, federal agent, and detectives, while putting a gray shade on them as though they were good gangsters. They would use brutal methods to capture criminals. The end of the Second World War and the loosening of censor codes gave the blood and violence back to the crime and gangster genre. Arthur Penn’s Bonnie and Clyde set new standards for violent behavior. The film’s graphic finale showed the very sadistic end of the gangster lovers. Directors also took a new take on the expected image of the gangsters. The Mafia had taken over and gangster films were never the same. If the 1930s were about the rise and fall of the gangster, the 1970s Mafia were about the rise and continuous rise of the Mafia family. The American dream had been achieved by the previous ‘losers’. Francis Ford Coppola’s directed Mario Puzzo’s bestselling novel The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and eventually The Godfather Part III. It was a classic particularly in its rich portrayal of the Mafia family. The films showed a different side of the gangland as a tightly knit family that is run more like a business than a vague operation. Other 1970s films showed the other side of the force in the violent and abusive tactics of the detectives trying to catch criminals. Clint Eastwood starred as the detective known as â€Å"Dirty† Harry Callahan who took down criminals with an over-sized Magnum. Gangster stories are a barometer of our society. Although, we try desperately to ignore the dark side to what we wish to be a civilized society, gangster and crime films show us the thinness of that civility. . Gangsters and criminals, and the way we portray them on film, show how we are really close to that beast inside.

Code of conduct Essay

A Code of Conduct is published and disseminated to its employees, and to existing and potential stakeholders such as members of the board of directors, customers, partners, vendors, suppliers, potential employees and the general public. Frequently posted on the organization’s website and in their annual report to shareholders, the Code of Conduct is both an internal commitment to a standard of behavior and beliefs and a public declaration of the organization’s position on a set of standards, values, principles, and beliefs. The Code of Conduct is the heart and soul of a company. Think of a Code of Conduct as an in depth view of what an organization believes and how the employees of an organization see themselves and their relationship with each other and the rest of the world. The Code of Conduct paints a picture of how employees, customers, partners, and suppliers can expect to be treated as a result. After going through major corporation code of business I decided to write a paper based off of one companies code of business ethics outline. That company is Amazon. The reason I chose Amazon was how simple there code of conduct in ethics was for how large of a corporation they are. The following are the things I felt could used revision. The company I found online for code of conduct was Amazon. They had a short and simple code of ethics page. Although short and to the point I feel they left a few things out. Amazon is a company that relies on distribution through vendors and returning customers. I felt that nowhere on this page was there a place that states they hold management or vendors accountable. Owner and upper level management accountability is very import for a company’s code of conduct. These individuals are requires to show honesty, transparency and integrity in their daily rolls. This sets the ethical base for a company, along with it also keeps individual owners and managers accountable for their actions. A unethical manager that is allowed to rein free in a business can create a difficult business situations and over extend a company’s resources. The next point I would like to make is, even though they mention compliance  with the laws I think they fail to mention anything about inappropriate behavior. Many companies use a code of ethics to prevent inappropriate employee behavior. Inappropriate behavior can include lying to clients, engaging in froud, failing to meet specific operational standards or similar conduct. A code of ethics about this subject can help employees understand why these actions are inappropriate and the reasons companies expect better behavioral performance. Companies may also limit their legal liability from poor employee performance by usiing this code of ethics. Another great point I would like to bring up about Amazons ethics code is their ability to institute the code. For a code of conduct to be useful, it is importance to introduce and endorse it at the highest level of business. Once the code is written, The CEO and governing body should sign off on it. Then, the company can incorporate it into training programs. Many companies require staff members to sign a document that they read and understand the code, and others require all employees to abide by the code as conditions of their employment. Many companies also use an internal review to measure the effectiveness of their code. This may be all done internally, but nowhere on the code of conduct was it instructed or announced that they do this. A code of conduct is developed either by a powerful executive, or often the owner. In amazons case is feel this was a cross section of employees that have executive influence, so it would be easier to incorprate and integrate. It is more likely to affect the actual beleifs and operation of the organization. The code of conduct will most likely acheive full implementation with in the organization when more are involved in the creation. Due to this I feel amazon has missed a few valuable areas in which they can improve on with their revisions for the future with code of conduct and ethics. Cite: Retrieved June 1, 2014, from http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=97664&p=irol-govConduct

Business Model of Nike Essay

Introduction Nike Inc. was founded in 1962 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight as a partnership under the name, Blue Ribbon Sports. Nike’s main products are sports shoes, sportswear, sports goods. In this paper, we will talk about ‘The Challenge of Entrepreneurship’ ‘Competitive Business Model’ ‘Solid Strategic Plan’ ‘Feasibility Analysis’ and ‘Business Plan’. All of these topics are very important when we study the ‘EOE and SBM’, and in each topic have more than one point. We got ‘The Benefits of Entrepreneurship’ ‘Competition’ of ‘The Challenge of Entrepreneurship ’; ‘Core Competencies’ ‘Innovations’ ‘Sustainable Competitive Advantage’ ‘Key Success Factor’ of ‘CBM’; ‘Vision and Mission’ ‘Objectives and Goals’ ‘SWOT’ ‘Competitor’ ‘Business strategy’ of ‘Solid Strategic Plan’; ‘Industry and Market Feasibility’ ‘Product or Service Feasibility’ ‘Financial Feasibility’ and ‘5Forces Model’ of ‘Feasibility Analysis’. Now, we are going to show you the detail. The Challenge of Entrepreneurship The Benefits of Entrepreneurship Surveys show that owners of small businesses believe they work harder, earn more money, and are more satisfied than if they worked for someone else. (Via Dr. Josà © A. Torres Essentials of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management Powerpoint) Opportunity to Create Your Own Destiny. Nike, originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS), was founded by University of Oregon track athlete Philip Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman in January 1964. The company initially operated as a distributor for Japanese shoe maker Onitsuka Tiger(now ASICS), making most sales at track meets out of Knight’s automobile. According to Otis Davis, a student athlete whom Bower man coached at the University of Oregon, who later went on to win two gold medals at the 1960 Summer Olympics, Bower man made the first pair of Nike shoes for him, contradicting a claim that they were made for Phil Knight. Says Davis, â€Å"I told Tom Brokaw that I was the first. I don’t care what all the billionaires say. Bill Bower man made the first pair of shoes for me. People don’t believe me. In fact, I didn’t like the way they felt on my feet. There was no support and they were too tight. But I saw Bower man make  them from the waffle iron, and they were mine.† (Via HTTP://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike,_Inc.) Opportunity to Make a Difference. In 1979, Nike Air cushion technology â€Å"Air†, by the inventor of the m. Frank Rudy patented, first applied on the Tailwind running shoes, the gas film in running shoes soles for the protection of the cushion. And Nike has created many print and television advertisements with Wieden+ Kennedy, Wieden+ Kennedy remains Nike’s primary ad agency. It was agency co-founder Dan Wieden who coined the now-famous slogan â€Å"Just Do It† for a 1988 Nike ad campaign, which was chosen by Advertising Age as one of the top five ad slogans of the 20th century and enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution. Walt Stack was featured in Nike’s first â€Å"Just Do It† advertisement, which debuted on July 1, 1988. Wieden credits the inspiration for the slogan to â€Å"Let’s do it†, the last words spoken by Gary Gilmore before he was executed. Throughout the 1980s, Nike expanded its product line to encompass many sports and regions throughout the world.[16] In 1990, Nike moved into its eight-building World Headquarters campus in Beaverton, Oregon. (Via HTTP://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike,_Inc.) Opportunity to Real Improve profits. In 2005, Nike â€Å"Air Jordan 20 generations†. Nike Free series, also in protecting the foot, like barefoot training is provided for the wearer. Nike as of May 31, total annual profits had 13.7 billion dollars, a 12% growth in the past fiscal year. On December 19, 2013, Nike Inc’s quarterly profit rose as a result of global orders for merchandise for delivery by April increased 13 percent. Future orders of shoes or clothes for delivery between December and April, rose to $10.4 billion. Nike shares (NKE) rose 0.6 percent to $78.75 in extended trading. (Via HTTP://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike,_Inc.) Opportunity to Contribute to Society and Be Recognized for Your Efforts. NIKE Charity Organization, is a Non-Governmental Organization Headquartered in PORT HARCOURT RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA. It is autonomous and submissive to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are determined to achieve our dreams and purpose of giving hope to the less privilege and to discharge our duties as members of non-profit organization in accordance to our core  values at National, State and Local Government levels. We are prepared to harness, strengthen and efficiently direct our efforts as much as we are out to join hands with other organizations, and individuals in the fight against the Girl Child Abuse. (Via HTTP://saccharinity.com/about_us.php) Competition NIKE is a consumer products company and the relative popularity of various sports and fitness activities and changing design trends affect the demand for our products. The athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment industry is highly competitive in the United States and on a worldwide basis. We compete internationally with a significant number of athletic and leisure footwear companies, athletic and leisure apparel companies, sports equipment companies, and large companies having diversified lines of athletic and leisure footwear, apparel, and equipment. We also compete with other companies for the production capacity of independent manufacturers that produce our products and for import quota capacity. Our competitors’ product offerings, technologies, marketing expenditures (including expenditures for advertising and endorsements), pricing, costs of production, and customer service are areas of intense competition. This, in addition to rapid changes in technology and consumer preferences in the markets for athletic and leisure footwear and apparel, and athletic equipment, constitute significant risk factors in our operations. If we do not adequately and timely anticipate and respond to our competitors, our costs may increase or the consumer demand for our products may decline significantly. (Via Nike-2013-form-10K) Designing a Competitive Business Model Core Competencies Nike’s quality , technology and brand is famous . Nike’s Air cushion technology is almost using in every basketball shoes ,it’s good for athlete’s foot . the Nike having its own core competence due to organization’s own skills and core competence it has taken a competitive advantage and now is taking a large market share. The core competence of Nike is to specialize in athlete’s foot wear and other sports items. As we know every organization has its R & D department .The R &D department of Nike is playing a vital role because of its innovations in foot wear how the  consumers can feel comfort by wearing their shoes and the quality that’s the most important factor to be given in shoes and they have different categories of shoes which is running shoes nick shocks, Jordan, and other types that is targeting different type of consumers having different perceptions. But most important thing of Nike is they don’t make shoes they design and then give their design to the production companies in Korea and china or Vietnam. Due to which they are more specialized in their innovation and in this way they have made their core competence in making innovative design of athlete shoes. Innovations Nike believe his research and development efforts are a key factor in nis success .NIKE strives to produce products that help to reduce injury , enhance athletic performance and maximize comfort success . (Via Nike 2013 Annual Report) Nike also find many expert in chemistry, exercise physiology, engineering, industrial design, sustainability and related fields ask they advices to fixed Nike’s shoes and clothing . Nike’s air cushion shock absorption technology is famous in the basketball shoes area .Nike’s Brand shoes like LBJ , Kobe and KD has many color and types . Sustainable Competitive Advantage External Analysis : Nike’s brand awareness is famous all over the world ,everyone buying shoes first chose is Nike . Nike sponsored the top athletes and gained valuable coverage. , like Jordan , LeBron James , .From the Nike’s 2013 annual report will find that Nike growing up every years . Nike has many competitors , like Adidas , Puma , Reebok and so on , but Nike’s market share is more than any other . Internal Analysis :As we know ,Nike’s product is quality , Nike’s has own R&D center to creative new technology ,like air cushion shock absorber technology ,environmental technology and so on .It’s basic technology to Nike’s product .Nike always find many creative thing to put in Nike’s product ,like knitting technology in his shoes .That’s awesome . Nike has employed creative marketing and advertisement platforms in building brand awareness and equity of its diversified products. For instance, the company uses Tiger Wood s a skilled golfer to build its line of golf products. It further employs professionals in various departments that include distribution, marketing, finance,  product management, research and design, information technology, and product development so as to sensitize the market of its diversified products Nike also operates an internship program every summer lasting for three months giving students an insight on the diverse brands. Other avenues Nike accomplishes diversification strategy is through mergers, joint ventures, takeovers, and acquisitions. The company also has an R&D unit called the innovation kitchen located in the main parent company in Oregon, to enable it to continue producing unique products such as the cushioning system in shoes. Key Success Factor Jordan Brand : Jordan brand is a big part of the Nike. Jordan’s shoes is popular in all over the world .Jordan shoes occupy the USA 10.8% market share in 2009 .Jordan shoes sales almost two times of Adidas . (Via :http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2009-09-12/16084584096.shtml)So Jordan brand is a key success factors of Nike .) Jordan brand is popular in young people , every young people want a Jordan’s shoes it’s beautiful and comfortable .Especially Jordan’s air cushion technology , using in every basketball shoes . Technology :In addition to Nike’s own staff of specialists in the areas of biomechanics ,chemistry , exercise physiology, engineering , industrial design, sustainability ,and related fields , we also utilize research committees and advisory boards made up of athletes , coaches, trainers , equipment managers , orthopedists , Podiatrists , and other experts who consult with us and review designs , Materials , concepts for product and manufactur ing process improvements and compliance with product safety regulations around the world . (Nike Annual Report ) Advertisement : Advertisements play a significant role in the athletic apparel industry, as consumers rely on catalogues and online advertisements . Nike has many endorsers ,like Jordan ,James ,Durant and so on. These guys bring many customers .Nike has online store ,you can buy many things in this store ,before new product star sales ,you’ll get an e-mail about this product .Nike’s advertisement not only online but also in everywhere .It’s very amazing! Adidas :Adidas is a very famous company ,it’s very popular in world too .But in these years, Adidas’s market in decrease very fast .Because Adidas’s endorsers did not famous than Nike’s endorses .Adidas’s endorses including Yao Ming ,A.I ,D.Rose and so on .But they hurt or retied .Adidas’s  quality and technology is also well known .But Adidas lost because the endorses . New Balance :New Balance (I will call New Balance as NB for short ) is known as a most comfortable shoes .They has many new technology ,such as BIOSHIELD ,ABZORB EX ,REVAX ,ENCAP ,and so on .And NB is popular in young people ,you will find many youn g people wear NB in the street .IT’s a huge market to NB. Building a Solid Strategic Plan It’s a significant part of a successful business. It keeps the company to where they oriented, to meet their mission, goals and objectives, and lead it on the right way. A Strategy plan is to build a competitive advantage. It involved Vision and Mission Statement, also Objectives and Goals, SWOT Analysis, Competition Analysis and Formulate Strategies. We are going to find out what does Nike different from others, why it is unique, and what it has that others don’t. I am about to use Five Forces Model to analyze the competitive advantages for Nike. Vision, Mission, Goal and Objective Nike’s vision is â€Å"To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.† The legendary University of Oregon track and field coach, and Nike co-founder, Bill Bowerman said, â€Å"If you have a body, you are an athlete.†. It’s their mission. (Via http://help-en-us.nike.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/113/p/3897) Their goal is to become and keep the number one sportswear brand all over the world. Their objective is keep down the manufacturing cost and keep their price down then they can occupied the market in some less developed countries who can become the economically dependent in the industry. (Via http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_objectives_of_Nike_company) SWOT Analysis. Strengths As one of the ‘Fortune 500’ company, Nike has numerous strengths. It is positioned at being the number one sportswear brand globally, it Offers their products worldwide, it has a very strong marketing campaign that increases brand familiarity, and it has no factories, it uses OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to get the work done. It has contracts with above 700 shops globally in about 45 different countries. it also has offices in these different countries. It has chains of retail stores like  Niketown so that it can sell there. Its famous ‘Swoosh’ is instantly recognizable, and Phil Knight even has it tattooed on his ankle. Weaknesses The organization does have a diversified range of sports products. However, the income of the business is still heavily dependent upon its share of the footwear market. This may leave it vulnerable if for any reason its market share erodes. The retail sector is very price sensitive. Nike does have its own reta iler in Nike Town. However, most of its income is derived from selling into retailers. Retailers tend to offer a very similar experience to the consumer. Can you tell one sports retailer from another? So margins tend to get squeezed as retailers try to pass some of the low price competition pressure onto Nike. Opportunities Product development offers Nike many opportunities. The brand is fiercely defended by its owners whom truly believe that Nike is not a fashion brand. However, like it or not, consumers that wear Nike product do not always buy it to participate in sport. Some would argue that in youth culture especially, Nike is a fashion brand. This creates its own opportunities, since product could become unfashionable before it wears out i.e. consumers need to replace shoes. There is also the opportunity to develop products such as sport wear, sunglasses and jewelry. Such high value items do tend to have associated with them, high profits. The business could also be developed internationally, building upon its strong global brand recognition. There are many markets that have the disposable income to spend on high value sports goods. For example, emerging markets such as China and India have a new richer generation of consumers. There are also global marketing events that can be utilized to support the brand such as the World Cup (soccer) and The Olympics. Threats Nike is exposed to the international nature of trade. It buys and sells in different currencies and so costs and margins are not stable over long periods of time. Such an exposure could mean that Nike may be manufacturing and/or selling at a loss. This is an issue that faces all global brands. The market for sports shoes and garments is very competitive. The model developed by Phil Knight in his Stamford Business School days (high value branded product manufactured at a low cost) is now commonly used and to an extent is no longer a basis for sustainable competitive advantage. Competitors are developing alternative brands to take away Nike’s market share. As discussed above in weaknesses, the retail sector is becoming price competitive. This  ultimately means that consumers are shopping around for a better deal. So if one store charges a price for a pair of sports shoes, the consumer could go to the store along the street to compare prices for the exactly the same item, and buy the cheaper of the two. Such consumer price sensitivity is a potential external threat to Nike. (Via Nike 2013 Annual Report, http://www.quality-assurance-solutions.com/swot-analysis-nike.html, http://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/account-management-provides-special-treatment-in-marketing-administration-marketing-essay.php http://www.marketingteacher.com/swot/nike-swot.html) Analyze the Competition. Nike has some competitive Direct competitors- Adidas, New Balance and Li Ning. They offer the product that Nike does, and all of these companies have different key success factors. Adidas, is the most competitor od Nike with do doubt, they compete with Nike for No.1 sportswear branding for over 40 years But in these years, Adidas’s market in decrease very fast .Because Adidas’s endorsers did not famous than Nike’s endorses .Adidas’s endorses including Yao Ming ,A.I ,Derrick Rose and so on .But they hurt or retied .Adidas’s quality and technology is also well known .But Adidas lost because the endorses; New Balance is known as a most comfortable shoes .They has many new technology ,such as BIOSHIELD ,ABZORB EX ,REVAX ,ENCAP ,and so on .And New Balance is popular in young people ,you will find many young people wear New Balance in the street . IT’s a huge market to New Balance; Some Significant competitors like Under Armour and Skechers, they offer similar products like apparel or footwear, they compete with Nike in some fields. Some Indirect competitors like The North Face or Columbia, both of them are the most of the famous outdoor brand, they offer windbreaker or accessories that Nike does. They have impacts to Nike in some mutual markets. Conclusion: Nike does perfectly in quality and endorsement, they almost signed all significant players and teams all over the world. Adidas has no most strength but all factors are averaged. New Balance does best in technology, it can makes sneakers more comfortable. (New Balance has never signed any endorsers since it founded, so its score is little bit lower) Cost leadership. Nike uses Business Simulation Strategy. It has no factories, it uses OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to get the work done, and it doesn’t has stores mostly. It offers products to Franchised retailers, and let them sell the products. It saved money from factories and rent, so its overhead is low. No shop, no labors,. quantity of materials, low too. If a supplier increases costs, Nike can easily change a new one with lower cost, Nike can do this because of its ability. Nike definitely has low cost access to factors of production. The enormity of Nike in respect to their suppliers gives them a huge advantage in production negotiations. Due to their high volumes for products, the cut-throat low cost nature of selecting a manufacturer, and coupled with the fact that Nike’s suppliers depend so heavily on them for their own success that they have little to no bargaining room toward raising prices, allows Nike to continuously enjoy low costs of production. Nike’s hardware and software technology implementations of using the not only using the best materials but creating them in a vertical fashion and housing an innovation culture from the top down, allow Nike a first move advantage into cost savings. However most of these advances only bring definite savings for a short time due to competitive parity within the industry, their creative nature definitely does benefit over the long run. Nike reduced costs by cutting some of its endorsements. Company research suggested the endorsement by the Italian soccer team, was not achieving the desired result. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and a few other endorsers were retained while some other like Italian soccer team, were eliminated, to saving over $100 million. Nike does incredible in cost control. (Nike 2013 Annual Report) Differentiation. Differentiation strategy by Nike is used to gain market share advantage in the broad foot ware market. Aside from foot wear, the company boasts of products such as clothing, equipment, and even accessories. The strategy is achieved by producing consumer goods and services that customers perceive to be of high quality or have added unique features. This has been achieved by the company innovating state of the art athletic shoes that are publicized through dramatic â€Å"guerrilla† marketing. Marketing of the different products is designed to coerce customers that Nike’s shoes are not only superior but also a high fashion statement which is a necessary part of a lifestyle based  on athletic or sporting interests. The company has also differentiated itself by using highflyers that are best used in distinguishing sporting disciplines hence enabling the company reach its target market, for instance, the Brazilian national soccer team or even Michael Jordan. Also, Nike is different from others in their Ads. They show not only their technology but also leading endorsers like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Cristiano Ronaldo in their Ads of new products. At the same time, their Ads are also very creative and with imagination, make people who watched them unforgettable. (Via Nike 2013 Annual Report) Focus.

Distinctive Human Resource Are What Firms Need Essay

Introduction Benchmarking is a crucial management tool that guides the stakeholders on the overall performance of the organization as well as mobilizing the employees on a continuous improvement of the organisation’s environmental and social performance. Bench marking is considered to have an impact when the results of the organization performance are immediate (Vorhies and Morgan, 2005). It is essential to recognize that benchmarking and the transfer of the best industry practices are supposed to help an organization in the long run through maximum utilization of the available resources and filling in the gaps associated with an organization poor performance (Drew, 1995). The notion of a single best practice may be overstated. Distinctive human resource practices help to create unique competencies that differentiate products and services and drive competitiveness in organizations. People management practices are the drivers of efforts to create distinctive competencies and, in turn, business strategies. There are various human resource management models that have been used by companies to benchmark and stay competitive in the turbulent business environment and they include the Industrial Organization Model and McKenzie’s 7s Strategy which include shared values, structure, strategy, systems, style, staff and skills. Shared Values Shared values are commonly held beliefs, mindsets, and assumptions that shape how an organization behaves and its corporate culture. Shared values are what engender trust. They are an interconnecting centre of the 7Ss model. Values are the identity by which a company is known throughout its business areas, what the organization stands for and what it believes in, it central beliefs and attitudes. These values must be explicitly stated as both corporate objectives and individual values. Structure Structure is the organizational chart and associated information that shows who reports to whom and how tasks are both divided up and integrated. In other words, structures describe the hierarchy of authority and accountability in an organization, the way the organization’s units relate to each other: centralized, functional divisions (top-down); decentralized (the trend in larger organizations); matrix, network, holding among others. These relationships are frequently diagrammed in organizational charts. Most organizations use some mix of structures: pyramidal, matrix or networked ones to accomplish their goals. Strategy Strategies are plans an organization formulates to reach identified goals, and a set of decisions and actions aimed at gaining a sustainable advantage over the competition. Systems Systems define the flow of activities involved in the daily operation of business, including its core processes and its support systems. They refer to the procedures, processes and routines that are used to manage the organization and characterize how important work is to be done. Style Style refers to the cultural style of the organization, how key managers behave in achieving the organization’s goals, how managers collectively spend their time and attention, and how they use symbolic behaviour. How management acts is more important that what management says. Staff Staff refers to the number and types of personnel within the organization and how companies develop employees and shape basic values. Skills Skills refer to the dominant distinctive capabilities and competencies of the personnel or of the organization as a whole. Industrial Organization (I/O) Model The external environment is primary determinant of the organizational strategy rather than internal decisions of managers. The environment presents threats and opportunities all competing to have equal access to resources. Resources are highly mobile between firms. Organizational success is achieved by offering goods and services at lower costs than competitors. Professional sports 49ers †¢ The 49ers have succeeded by using a strategy of long-term player development by recruiting through college drafts rather than trades. This helps the team cement loyalty to the club by the players. Raiders †¢ The Raiders scoop up talented players who fail or do not fit in elsewhere. The club reinforces its strategy through autocracy where the members are not supposed to participate in decision making. The system of the club embraces outside recruit of experienced players. Retailing: Sales as the Service Sears †¢ The Sears selection system requires extensive training. The style keeps track of employee attitude and morale through employee surveys, pay programs to match other retail business through industrial organization model. Nordstrom †¢ The Nordstrom structure of hiring is decentralized and uses no formal selection tests. There are continuous stream of programs to motivate employees with very little attention paid to the staffs in terms of training and commissions when retailing. †¢ The link between employees and product market strategy is sometimes less direct in services, but there are still relationships between the way employees are managed, the competencies employees help produce, and the way companies compete. Professional Service Firms; Information and Advice as the Product Boston Consulting Group (BCG) †¢ The style of BCG is to hire the best undergraduate and MBA students to work for them. †¢ The firm’s system requires rigorous selection procedures and through industrial organization Model provides exceptional compensation to the employees as compared to other organizations. †¢ The firm develops its staff through formal training. †¢ BCG shared value approach expects each team to come up with innovative ways to reinforce its entrepreneurial culture. McKinsey †¢ The professional firm develops its distinctive capabilities through on-campus recruiting and employee skills and development through extensive training model. †¢ The firm’s strategy lies in providing clients with consistent services. The core competency is also consistent with the products and the techniques of the company. Business Schools Harvard Business †¢ The business school staff development represents internal skills development. The school hires employees and turns them into experts. †¢ The business school invests a lot on employee development through the staff model. Wharton School †¢ The school recruitment strategy model relies on external environment to recruit its employees from a network of academicians. †¢ The system model that is used to make the institution maintain a competitive edge in the market is by hiring employees with superior technical skills and by making use of its outside market. Financial Services Chubb †¢ The insurance firm success is based on its shared value model of becoming the insurance of choice. †¢ The firm makes substantial staff investment through its recruitment, intensive training and testing before hiring. American International Group (AIG) †¢ The success of the insurance firm is through its industrial orientation strategy model where the company identifies new areas of business, creates new products, and benefits from the first mover advantage as a result of exploiting the market. †¢ The company’s competencies are its ability to respond to the turbulent business environment. †¢ The company hires from its competitors and invests less on staff development. The Shipping Business FedEx †¢ The shipping business has a strategy model of empowering its employees in the implementation of its vision. †¢ First service company to win the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award †¢ Intensive orientation program for staff development. †¢ One hub at FedEx meant that there were fewer coordination problems, allowing for autonomy and participation through it structural model. †¢ This model highly enhances loyalty in employees. UPS †¢ The orientation of the company structure model takes an autocratic approach where the employees have no direct say over work organization matters. †¢ Company standards for each task through its shared value model. †¢ Pays the highest wages and benefits in the industry (Industrial Organization Model). †¢ Productivity of UPS’s drivers is about three times higher than that at FedEx due to its high compensation. †¢ UPS’s business demands a level of coordination that is incompatible with individual employee involvement and a â€Å"high commitment† approach through it structural model. Food and Beverages Coke †¢ Coke builds on employee skills and hangs on them through staff development model. †¢ Coke hires college graduates with little or corporate experience and provides intensive training. †¢ There is promotion and seniority based salary incentives. †¢ Decision making is centralized Pepsi †¢ The company relies on employees’ innovativeness to identify market niches †¢ Pepsi hires employees with experience and advanced technical skills through industrial organization model. †¢ Decision making is decentralized. †¢ Employees have little job security. †¢ Less loyal employees. References Drew, S. A. W. (1995). Strategic Benchmarking: Innovation Practices in Financial Institutions. International Journal of Bank Marketing 13 (1),4-16. Vorhies, D. W., & Morgan, N. A. (2005). Benchmarking Marketing Capabilities for Sustainable Competitive Advantage. Journal of Marketing 69 (January Issue), 80–94.

Analysis of fast fashion

Analysis of fast fashion Fast Fashion has been explored within the context of supply chain management (Ko and Kincade, 1997; Fiorito et al., 1995,1998; Sohal et al., 1998; Perry and Sohal, 2000; Guercini,2001; Azuma, 2002; Mattila et al., 2002; Birtwistle et al., 2003; Lee and Kincade, 2003). According to Barnes, L. and Lea-Greenwood, G. (2006, p259) â€Å"fast fashion is a business strategy which aims to processes involved in the buying cycle and lead times for getting new fashion product into stores, in order to satisfy consumer demand at its peak.† Saren,M. (2006) points out fast fashion refers to the time scale that exists between the emergence of a new fashion trend and the time it takes for a company to respond to that trend by having the product available in the market for sale. A commitment to fast fashion puts considerable strain on an organization. It requires that they are totally up to date with consumer trends and developments as these emerge and that they be fully prepared to respond to these developments with new product ranges in advance of their competition (Saren, M, 2006). Kotler, P. and Armstrong, G. (2010) states fast fashion is the company can recognize and respond to fashion trends very quickly, create products that mirror the trends, and get those products onto shelves much faster and more frequently than the industry norm. 2.1.1 The characteristics of Fast Fashion In recent years, the fast fashion rise rapidly to become the new bright spot in the world’s clothing market. Fast fashion is a term used to describe clothing collections which are based on the most recent fashion trends presented at Fashion Week in both the spring and the autumn of every year (Muran, L, 2007). One of the biggest retail success stories of the past decade has been the phenomenal rise of fast fashion, a shopping trend spurred by rapidly changing styles and the ready availability of cheap brands (Barrie, L, 2010). The characteristics of fast fashion are ‘fast’ and ‘fashion’, by capturing fashion quickly, launch new fashion design quickly, product updates quickly at a lower price to meet consumer’s demand for access to fashion. The growth in the fast fashion industry â€Å"seems to be phenomenal† (Arvind Singhal, 2010). The reason of the development of fast fashion increasing and soon occupied the market, the main characteristics are: compared with the traditional clothing brands, the product development of fast fashion to the market is short, with the flow and not create trends, seasonal design rather than to go further the design, focusing on breadth rather than depth of products and with frequently new product in the market. Fast fashion can also be treated as the inevitable backlash by consumers against the homogenization of the retail industry (Mya, F, 2006). Fast fashion, an evolving retail trend that has store chains filling their racks with new, gotta-have-it merchandise (Erin, W, 2004). The aim of fast f ashion is specifically at a culture of rapid purchasing and disposal (Fast Fashion, 2007). Fast fashion may be moving too fast for customers to keep up (Wilson, E and Barbaro, M, 2006). As everything is getting faster, which including fashion, but Robin Anson (2010) argues that there are still few things that influence fast fashion, he says that â€Å"fast fashion can’t happen without facilitators, while low prices might encourage more purchases, to get low prices you need low labour costs, low raw material costs, and high productivity – but the quality must still be good.† According to Lovejoy, J (2007), the characteristics of fast fashion are: Primary emphasis is speed with fashion